First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
A brilliant second-half fight-back saw United earn a well-deserved draw at home to Rangers.
Goals from Lee Wilkie and Warren Feeney cancelled out Kris Boyd's early strike, but United couldn't hang on and had to settle for a point after substitute Kyle Lafferty came on to grab a late equaliser.
Rangers came out of the blocks quicker and were enjoying the majority of possession, without causing United any real problems.
However, their early dominance paid off when after ten minutes, Steven Davis clipped a ball into the feet of Boyd, who turned and struck a first-time left-footed shot into the bottom corner - his 19th career goal against the Tangerines.
Five minutes later, Rangers almost doubled their lead when Pedro Mendes headed Lukasz Zaluska's clearance into the path of Boyd. Paul Dixon managed to get to the ball first, but his pass back-raced beyond the advancing 'keeper and rolled just past the post.
It took almost half an hour for United to find their way back into the game and it was through the aerial threat of Jon Daly, Garry Kenneth and Wilkie that they looked like creating problems for the Rangers defence.
The home side's only real opportunity of the opening period came from a corner and should have led to the equaliser.
Craig Conway's 29th minute cross from the right was met by Daly, who headed the ball goalwards, only for Alan McGregor in the Rangers goal to beat it to safety.
As the first half drew to a close, the away side had another chance to double their lead.
A long ball over the top from Davis led to a mix-up between Wilkie and Zaluska. Kenny Miller lobbed the ball over the keeper and was left with an open goal - only for the United captain to get back and scramble the ball clear.
The half-time whistle was a welcome one for Craig Levein's men and his team-talk clearly had the desired effect as United started the second half much stronger.
Another cross from Conway was again met by Daly, but this time he headed just wide.
Then, five minutes into the second half, United made it 1-1.
Conway sent Dixon clear on the overlap and the defender's cross was volleyed home at the back post by Wilkie.
The United fans had barely returned to their seats when they saw their side go 2-1 up moments later.
Conway and Dixon combined again down the left wing and this time the full-back's cross was smashed home from close range by Feeney.
Rangers manager Walter Smith then made two substitutions, which eventually led to his team drawing level.
Sub Nacho Novo found himself in space on the right hand side. The former Dundee striker cut inside two defenders and played the ball into path of fellow sub Lafferty, who slotted the ball beyond Zaluska to make it 2-2.
United had a chance to get a late winner when the ball fell to Robertson some 25 yards out, but his effort flew over the bar and despite some late pressure from Rangers, United held on for a well-earned draw.
Teams:
Dundee United: Zaluska, Kovacevic, Dixon, Wilkie(c), Kenneth; Flood, S Robertson, Gomis (Swanson, 88), Feeney (D Robertson, 79) Daly, Conway (Subs not used: McGovern, Dillon, Dods, O'Donovan, Shala)
Rangers: McGregor; Broadfoot, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Mendes, Ferguson, McCulloch (Lafferty, 63), Davis, Boyd, Miller (Novo, 68) (Subs not used: Alexander, Beasley, Dailly, Niguez, Fleck)
Goals from Lee Wilkie and Warren Feeney cancelled out Kris Boyd's early strike, but United couldn't hang on and had to settle for a point after substitute Kyle Lafferty came on to grab a late equaliser.
Rangers came out of the blocks quicker and were enjoying the majority of possession, without causing United any real problems.
However, their early dominance paid off when after ten minutes, Steven Davis clipped a ball into the feet of Boyd, who turned and struck a first-time left-footed shot into the bottom corner - his 19th career goal against the Tangerines.
Five minutes later, Rangers almost doubled their lead when Pedro Mendes headed Lukasz Zaluska's clearance into the path of Boyd. Paul Dixon managed to get to the ball first, but his pass back-raced beyond the advancing 'keeper and rolled just past the post.
It took almost half an hour for United to find their way back into the game and it was through the aerial threat of Jon Daly, Garry Kenneth and Wilkie that they looked like creating problems for the Rangers defence.
The home side's only real opportunity of the opening period came from a corner and should have led to the equaliser.
Craig Conway's 29th minute cross from the right was met by Daly, who headed the ball goalwards, only for Alan McGregor in the Rangers goal to beat it to safety.
As the first half drew to a close, the away side had another chance to double their lead.
A long ball over the top from Davis led to a mix-up between Wilkie and Zaluska. Kenny Miller lobbed the ball over the keeper and was left with an open goal - only for the United captain to get back and scramble the ball clear.
The half-time whistle was a welcome one for Craig Levein's men and his team-talk clearly had the desired effect as United started the second half much stronger.
Another cross from Conway was again met by Daly, but this time he headed just wide.
Then, five minutes into the second half, United made it 1-1.
Conway sent Dixon clear on the overlap and the defender's cross was volleyed home at the back post by Wilkie.
The United fans had barely returned to their seats when they saw their side go 2-1 up moments later.
Conway and Dixon combined again down the left wing and this time the full-back's cross was smashed home from close range by Feeney.
Rangers manager Walter Smith then made two substitutions, which eventually led to his team drawing level.
Sub Nacho Novo found himself in space on the right hand side. The former Dundee striker cut inside two defenders and played the ball into path of fellow sub Lafferty, who slotted the ball beyond Zaluska to make it 2-2.
United had a chance to get a late winner when the ball fell to Robertson some 25 yards out, but his effort flew over the bar and despite some late pressure from Rangers, United held on for a well-earned draw.
Teams:
Dundee United: Zaluska, Kovacevic, Dixon, Wilkie(c), Kenneth; Flood, S Robertson, Gomis (Swanson, 88), Feeney (D Robertson, 79) Daly, Conway (Subs not used: McGovern, Dillon, Dods, O'Donovan, Shala)
Rangers: McGregor; Broadfoot, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Mendes, Ferguson, McCulloch (Lafferty, 63), Davis, Boyd, Miller (Novo, 68) (Subs not used: Alexander, Beasley, Dailly, Niguez, Fleck)
